The Thamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam has announced a state-wide awareness tour to mobilize public support for the construction of a dam across the Cauvery at Rasimanal to counter water-waste allegations.

  • Thamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam to start an awareness tour on September 20.
  • The campaign aims to revive the Rasimanal Dam project originally initiated by K. Kamaraj.
  • The move is a direct response to claims by Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar regarding water wastage.

The Thamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam has stepped up its efforts to secure water rights for the delta region by proposing a comprehensive awareness campaign. The association aims to drum up massive public support for the construction of a dam across the Cauvery river at Rasimanal, a project that has remained dormant for years.

Speaking on Tuesday, the association's general secretary, P.R. Pandian, highlighted the political tension surrounding the issue. He pointed out that Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has been promoting a narrative that Tamil Nadu allows vast quantities of Cauvery water to drain uselessly into the Bay of Bengal. To counter this narrative, the Sangam argues that the Tamil Nadu government must immediately revive the Rasimanal project.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the Rasimanal Dam is not merely an infrastructure project but a strategic tool in the long-standing Cauvery water dispute. By building the dam, Tamil Nadu can effectively store water that would otherwise flow into the sea, thereby neutralizing Karnataka's arguments and enhancing the irrigation capacity of the delta districts during lean periods.

"The revival of the Rasimanal project is essential to transform Tamil Nadu's water management from a reactive to a proactive strategy."

The planned awareness tour is set to commence from Poompuhar on September 20. The campaign will traverse through the critical delta districts and extend to Puducherry, Chennai, Vellore, and Dharmapuri, eventually concluding in Tiruvarur. The association believes that a grassroots movement is the only way to compel the state government to act.

Historical Background

The Rasimanal dam project is rooted in the vision of the legendary former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, who had laid the foundation stone for the project. Kamaraj envisioned a robust water storage system to safeguard farmers against the unpredictability of the monsoon. However, due to various political and administrative hurdles, the project failed to reach completion, leaving a void in the region's water security infrastructure.

Did You Know?: The Cauvery river is one of the most contested water bodies in India, with legal battles stretching back decades between the upper-riparian and lower-riparian states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who originally laid the foundation for the Rasimanal Dam?
A: The foundation stone was laid by the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Kamaraj.

Q2: What triggered the current awareness campaign?
A: The campaign was triggered by allegations from Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar that Tamil Nadu wastes Cauvery water by letting it flow into the sea.